Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns a stop for arranging a work piece or a component, for use with a vice, work table or surface, machines, mounting brackets and the like, including a base unit with a first base part, a second base part and a third base part, a first displacing arm and a second displacing arm and setting means, wherein the base unit is connected to the first displacing arm and where the first displacing arm furthermore is connected to the second displacing arm. The present invention also concerns a method for using the stop. Background of the Invention

It is known to use stops in connection with machining work pieces, where the stop is e.g. mounted on a vice or a work table or surface, and where they constitute an important aid.

US 2002/0067968 Al discloses a stop for arranging a work piece or a component and which can be mounted on a work table or work surface where a pivoting arm can be moved from a horizontal position to a vertical position. When the pivoting arm is in its vertical position, the operator can adjust the work piece against the stop, after which the pivoting arm is moved to a horizontal position such that the stop does not interfere with the machining operation. The pivoting arm can thus be moved 90° between a horizontal and a vertical position where a spring ensures that the pivoting arm remains in its vertical position, until the pivoting arm is pivoted to horizontal and the spring is relieved.

Thus there are only two options for angular setting of the pivoting arm, and no possibility of longitudinal adjustment.

US 4030718 A discloses a stop that can be mounted on a vice and where a first displacing arm can turn about and be displaced relative to the point of fastening to the vice, and where a second displacing arm also can be turned about and be displaced relative to the first displacing arm. The angular and longitudinal adjustment of the first displacing arm requires tools, whereas the angular and longitudinal adjustment of the second displacing arm can be performed with a finger screw.

US 5895184 A discloses a stop that can be mounted on a vice where a first displacing arm can be displaced relative to the point of fastening on the vice, an intermediate piece is mounted between the first displacing arm and a second displacing arm, and the second displacing arm can be displaced relative to the intermediate piece. The first and second displacing arms are provided with longitudinal setting marks.

The longitudinal setting of the first and the second displacing arms can be performed with finger screws whereas the intermediate piece is to be completely dismounted in order to be adjusted in longitudinal direction where the adjustment intervals are rather large. Therefore, this is a very tedious and time-consuming adjustment operation.

The drawbacks of the prior art stops are that the stops cannot be set exactly the same the next time a corresponding series of work pieces are to be processed or machined, thus entailing that the operator again is to perform a time-consuming setup and fine adjustment.

Object of the Invention

It is therefore the object of the invention to ensure an easy, light, rapid, accurate and secure setting in the form of a readable stepwise setting, without any need of tools, screws or similar fixing means after mounting the stop, thereby saving time during the adjustment and use of the stop.

It is a further object of the invention to ensure that a setting of the stop by indication of angular and longitudinal settings can be re-established as a whole each time a corresponding series of work pieces are to be machined, which in turn is a saving of time. Description of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, the above indicated objects are achieved by a stop as described in the introduction and as indicated in the preamble of claim 1, wherein the setting means include stepwise spring-biased tool-free setting means disposed between the first base part and the second base part of the base unit, between the second base part of the base unit and the first displacing arm, between the third base part and the first displacing arm and between the first displacing arm and the second displacing arm. This will enable ensuring an easy, light, rapid, accurate and secure setting by means of the stepwise spring-biased tool-free setting means, where subsequent to mounting the stop on e.g. a vice there is no need for tools, screws or similar fixing means to be tightened and loosened after mounting the stop. In a preferred embodiment, spring washers or compression springs are used for the stepwise spring-biased tool-free setting means. Alternatives may be disc springs, helical springs, leaf springs or other types of springs. Additional alternatives could be one or more combinations of different types of springs. The setting means as well as the graduation marks are integrated parts of the stop, and the operator is therefore not to set, adjust or calibrate the various setting means and/or graduation marks.

Thereby is achieved a saving of time for the operator during setting and use of the stop.

As indicated, the stop is for application with vices, work tables or surfaces, machines mounting brackets and similar, "similar" meaning any thinkable industries such as e.g. the machine industry and the plastic industry where such a stop is appropriate to use. Examples of application of a stop is mounting on a vice or directly upon a work table of a milling machine or a shaper, or where the stop is mounted in a machining unit for use with e.g. metal, wood or plastic. The stop can also find application on e.g. sawing and cutting machines. In a second aspect, the present invention also concerns a stop wherein the base unit further includes a readable angle adjustment scale between the first base part and the third base part, the first displacing arm includes a readable length adjustment scale between the first displacing arm and the base unit, and the second displacing arm includes a readable length adjustment scale between the second displacing arm and the first displacing arm.

This will enable mounting the stop on e.g. a vice where the first base part thereby becomes a fixed and unmovable part of the base unit, whereas the second base part and the third base part become a movable and rotatable part of the base unit. In a preferred embodiment there is a fixed point or a line on the first base part and a setting scale on the third base part.

Correspondingly, the base unit will be a fixed part in connection with longitudinal adjustment of the first displacing arm, the first displacing arm consequently being the movable part. Obviously, this also means that the longitudinal setting scale is to be on the first displacing arm whereas the line or the reading area is to be on the base unit.

Finally, the first displacing arm will constitute the fixed part in connection with longitudinal adjustment of the second displacing arm, where the first displacing arm will be the fixed part and where the second displacing arm will be the movable part. The longitudinal adjustment scale will thereby be on the second displacing arm whereas the line or reading area is to be on the first displacing arm. By these adjustments of the stop with indication of angular and longitudinal settings, a setup can be re-established as a whole, thereby ensuring exact settings with regard to angle as well as to length each time a corresponding series of work pieces are to be machined or processed, each and every time providing a saving of time and an optimisation of the procedures in a production.

In a third aspect, the present invention also concerns a stop wherein the base unit includes a first base part and a second base part, a bushing and bolt, where the bushing and the bolt couple the first base part and the second base part together through recess in the first base part and the second base part, and where the central axis of the bolt furthermore constitutes the rotary axis of the base unit.

This enables ensuring that the first part and the second part are not tightened too hard in assembly as the bushing constitutes a minimum spacing, thereby also ensuring possible rotation of the stop.

In a preferred embodiment, the bushing is a collared bushing with internal as well as external collar, where the bolt clamps the inner collar of the bushing against the first base part, while the outer collar of the bushing secures the second base part in a desired position in relation to the first base part.

The bolt thus retains the base unit of the stop, and the bolt can in a preferred embodiment be secured/locked to the base unit by means of a cotter pin ensuring that the base unit is not inadvertently falling apart if the stop is dismounted. In addition, the bolt is used for mounting the stop on a work table or similar, and the central axis of the bolt therefore constitutes the rotary axis of the base unit and the stop.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention also concerns a stop wherein the base unit between the first base part and the second base part include stepwise spring-biased tool-free setting means, including a spring-biased toothed disc and a toothing integrated with one base part.

By the spring action of the toothed disc, ensuring a suitable resistance in the stop will be enabled such that the stop is capable of maintaining an arbitrary angular setting.

In a preferred embodiment, the spring-biased toothed disc is disposed in a cavity between the first base part and the second base part where the toothed disc is pressed against the second base part, whereas the toothing is an integrated part of the second base part. The toothed disc, which includes a through-going hole at the centre, is retained against rotation by the hole e.g. being edged and corresponding to an edged projection in the cavity in the first base part. In a preferred embodiment, the second base part is set at an angle relative to the first base part by turning the second base part clockwise or counterclockwise, whereby teeth on the second base part engage the spring-biased toothed disc between the first base part and the second base part.

Alternatively, the toothed disc can be pressed against the first base part as the toothing is an integrated part of the second base part.

An alternative to the toothed disc and toothing are spring-biased balls or spring-biased pawls that e.g. are radially mounted in the first base part and engage the second base part.

In a fifth aspect, the present invention also concerns a stop wherein the second base part further includes stepwise spring-biased tool-free setting means, including at least one spring-biased projection.

For example, this will enable mounting a pointed screw in the second base part such that the pointed screw can be actuated by the spring washer and the toothed disc between the first base part and the second base part, and such that the projection of the pointed screw can engage indentations in the first displacing arm.

In a preferred embodiment, the spring-biased projection is a spring-biased press screw in the form of a pointed screw in which a spring is disposed between the pointed screw itself and a projection, such as a ball. In this version, the projection is not actuated by the spring washer.

In a sixth aspect, the present invention also concerns a stop wherein the third base part further includes a through-going recess corresponding to at least the cross-section of the first displacing arm, the recess being substantially perpendicular to the rotary axis of the base unit, and where the third base part further includes stepwise spring-biased tool-free setting means, including at least one spring-biased projection. This will enable encircling the first displacing arm in the base unit, in a preferred embodiment between the second base part and the third base part.

This will also enable securing a suitable resistance in first displacing arm through the at least two spring-biased projections of the base unit such that the first displacing arm is able to maintain an arbitrary setting of length.

The spring-biased projections are intended for engaging indentations in the first displacing arm, where the projections moreover in a preferred embodiment are oppositely directed and also acting on opposite sides of the first displacing arm with the purpose of obviating play.

The first displacing arm is adjusted stepwise in longitudinal direction by pulling or pushing the first displacing arm out of or into the base unit, respectively, where the spring -biased projections in the base unit engage the recess in the first displacing arm and therefore preferably at two opposing sides of the first displacing arm.

Alternatively, there may be several spring-biased projections in the base unit, or there may be projections acting on the same side of the first displacing arm.

In a seventh aspect, the present invention also concerns a stop wherein the first displacing arm at least includes a series of indentations in longitudinal direction.

This enables fixing the first displacing arm in the base unit as the indentations in the first displacing arm are intended to engage the projections in the base unit.

Alternatively, a toothing or a toothed rack on one of the faces of the first displacing arm intended for engaging spring-biased pawls or other stepwise setting options in the base unit can be applied.

In an eighth aspect, the present invention also concerns a stop wherein the first displacing arm includes a through-going recess corresponding to at least the cross- section of the second displacing arm, the recess being substantially perpendicular to the first displacing arm and substantially in the same plane as the rotary axis of the base unit, and where the first displacing arm includes stepwise spring-biased tool-free setting means including at least one spring-biased pawl.

By this it is possible to encircle the second displacing arm in the first displacing arm and to ensure that the stepwise adjustment is effected without play as the pawls in a preferred embodiment engage the teeth of the second displacing arm. As the pawls are provided in longitudinal direction of the first displacing arm, the second displacing arm is gradually adjusted in its longitudinal direction by pushing the second displacing arm with the teeth in against the first displacing arm, where spring-biased pawls in the first displacing arm engage the teeth on the second displacing arm when they are pushed against the pawls.

In a preferred embodiment, the pawls are designed such that they correspond to the toothing of the second displacing arm and where in addition it is preferred using more than one pawl with the intention of performing a finer longitudinal adjustment of the second displacing arm.

In a ninth aspect, the present invention also concerns a stop wherein the second displacing arm at least includes at least a row of teeth in longitudinal direction.

This will enable using the second displacing arm over a greater length, and in a preferred embodiment, the second displacing arm has a toothed rack or a series of teeth in longitudinal direction of the displacing arm. Alternatively, on at least two opposing sides of the second displacing arm there may be provided different teeth graduations and therefore different measurement graduations.

In a tenth aspect, the present invention also concerns a stop wherein the second displacing arm includes an abutment end and an operating end, where an operating grip is provided at the operating end. This enables using the operating grip both by turning and rotation of the second displacing arm about its longitudinal axis as well as by pushing and/or by pulling the second displacing arm. Moreover, it is ensured that the second displacing arm is not inexpediently pushed or pulled through the first displacing arm.

Alternatively, at the abutment end there may also be a device, a shoulder or similar which, like the operating grip, ensures that the second displacing arm is not pulled out of engagement during withdrawal where the teeth are not in contact with the setting means.

In an eleventh aspect, the present invention also concerns a method for using a stop for arranging a work piece or a component, the method including at least the following steps:

A. the stop is fastened to a vice, working surface, machine, mounting bracket and the like, wherein the method further includes at least the following steps, in arbitrary order:

B. the second base part and the third base part are adjusted step by step at an angle relative to the first base part by turning the second base part and the third base part clockwise or counterclockwise, where teeth on the second base part engage a spring-biased toothed disc between the first base part and the second base part;

C. the first displacing arm is adjusted step by step in longitudinal direction by pulling or pushing the first displacing arm out of or into the base unit, respectively, where spring-biased projections in the base unit engage cutouts in the first displacing arm; and

D. the second displacing arm is adjusted step by step in longitudinal direction by pushing the second displacing arm in towards the first displacing arm, where spring- biased pawls in the first displacing arm engage teeth on the second displacing arm.

This makes it possible to ensure an easy, light, rapid, accurate and secure setting in the form of a readable stepwise setting, where there is no need for tools, screws or similar fixing means after mounting the stop, and thereby time can be saved during adjustment and use of the stop. In a preferred method, the steps will be B, C and D, though alternatives are possible, for example C, B and D, or even several steps simultaneously. In an twelfth aspect, the present invention also concerns a method for using a stop for arranging a work piece or a component, the method including at least the following steps:

E. the second displacing arm is turned about its longitudinal axis until the teeth of the second displacing arm face away from the spring-biased pawls in the first displacing arm; and

F. the second displacing arm is pulled away from the first displacing arm.

This enables, e.g. at 90°, drawing the second displacing arm back off its abutment, thereby making the second displacing arm ready for at new setting.

Description of the Drawing

The invention will now be explained more closely in the following by description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the drawing, where:

Fig. 1 shows a stop for arranging a work piece or a component in a preferred embodiment;

Fig. 2 shows the setting means disposed between the first base part and the second base part of the base unit and between the base unit and the first displacing arm;

Fig. 3 shows the individual parts of the base unit and the first displacing arm;

Fig. 4 shows a sectional view of the individual parts of the base unit and the first displacing arm;

Fig. 5 shows the toothed disc and the second base part;

Fig. 6 shows the second base part and the third base part;

Fig. 7 shows the setting means disposed between the first displacing arm and the second displacing arm;

Fig. 8 shows a stop at various angular settings;

Fig. 9 shows examples of different settings of the first displacing arm; Fig. 10 shows examples of different settings of the second displacing arm;

Fig. 11 shows a stop mounted on a vice;

Fig. 12 shows a stop mounted on a mounting bracket;

Fig. 13 shows the various setting scales of the stop.

List of designations

1 stop

2 base unit

3 first base part

4 second base part

4a fastening means

5 third base part

6 first displacing arm

7 second displacing arm

8 setting means

9 bushing

10 bolt

11 central axis

12 rotary axis of base unit

13 internal collar

14 external collar

15 spring washer

16 toothed disc

16a recess

17 projections

17a pointed screw/spring-biased press screw

17b ball

18 indentations

19 cotter pin

20 O-ring

21 end cover

22 through-going cutout

23 pawl

24 spring 25 teeth

26 vice

27 mounting bracket

28 angle setting scale

29 longitudinal setting scale, first displacing arm

30 longitudinal setting scale, first displacing arm

31 abutment end

32 operating end

33 operating grip

Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention

Fig. 1 shows a stop 1 in a preferred embodiment, the stop 1 including a base unit 2 with a first base part 3, a second base part 4 (see Fig. 2) and a third base part 5, the base unit 2 connected to a first displacing arm 6, and where the first displacing arm 6 is also connected to a second displacing arm 7.

The stop 1 also includes stepwise spring-biased tool-free setting means 8 as shown on Figs. 2 and 7 and as described in connection therewith.

Fig. 2 shows the setting means 8 disposed between the first base part 3 and the second base part 4 and between the base unit 2 and the first displacing arm 6.

The Figure shows that the base unit 2 includes a first base part 3 and a second base part 4 where a bushing 9 and a bolt 10 couple the first base part 3 and the second base part 4 together, the central axis 11 of the bolt furthermore constituting the rotary axis 12 of the base unit.

In the Figure is shown a preferred embodiment of the first base part 3 and the second base part 4 where the bushing 9 is a collared bushing with an internal collar 12 as well as an external collar 14, and where the bolt 10 clamps the inner collar 13 of the bushing against the first base part 3, while the outer collar 14 of the bushing secures the second base part 4 in a desired position in relation to the first base part 3. Fig. 2 also shows that the base unit 2 between the first base part 3 and the second base part 4 include stepwise spring-biased tool-free setting means 8, where the setting means 8 include a spring washer 15 acting on a toothed disc 16, and where an integrated toothing in the second base part 4 engages the toothed disc 16.

Finally, on Fig. 2 it also appears that the third base part 5 includes a through-going cutout corresponding to at least the cross-section of the first displacing arm 6, the cutout being substantially perpendicular to the rotary axis 12 of the base unit, and where the base part 2 includes stepwise spring -biased tool- free setting means 8, the setting means 8 including at least two spring-biased projections 17. In the shown embodiment, the projections 17 are shown with different size and form as the first projection 17 is a pointed screw/spring-biased press screw 17a mounted in a through- going hole in the second base part 4 with the projection 17 facing the first displacing arm 6, whereas the second projection 17 is a spring-biased ball mounted/placed in a usual blind hole in the third base part 5, also with the projection 17 facing the first displacing arm 6.

Furthermore, it is shown that the first displacing arm 6 has indentations 18 at the side intended for engagement with the projections 17 in the base unit 2.

Figs. 3 and 4 show exploded views of the base unit 2 and the first displacing arm 6 indicated on Fig. 2, where Fig. 3 shows the individual parts as a whole while Fig. 4 shows a sectional view of the parts.

Besides the already mentioned and described parts there is a cotter pin 19 for fixing the bolt 10 to the first base part 3 and an O-ring 20 and an end cover 21 for closing the third base part 5.

Fig. 5 shows the toothed disc 16 and the integrated toothing in the second base part 4, where the angular graduations are a result of the toothing. Also, it appears that the toothed disc 16 has a recess 16a that is not circular due to the fact that it has to correspond to the recess in the first base part 3, and such that the toothed disc 16 cannot rotate.

Fig. 6 shows the second base part 4 and the third base part 5 in perspective view, on which it appears how these are secured to each other by fastening means 4a, in a preferred embodiment by hexagonal screws, but they could be other screw types, with torx slot, straight slot, Philips slot, and similar.

Fig. 7 shows the setting means 8 disposed between the first displacing arm 6 and the second displacing arm 7, where the first displacing arm 6 includes a through-going cutout 22 corresponding to at least the cross-section of the second displacing arm 7, the cutout 22 being perpendicular to the first displacing arm 6, and where the first displacing arm 6 includes stepwise spring-biased tool-free setting means 8, including at least a pawl 23 actuated by a spring 24.

The Figure also shows that the second displacing arm 7 in longitudinal direction has a row of teeth 25 in the form of a toothed rack.

Fig. 8 shows a stop 1 in various angular settings, Fig. 9 shows examples of various settings of the first displacing arm, and Fig. 10 shows examples of the various settings of the second displacing arm.

Fig. 11 shows a stop 1 mounted on a bench vice 26, and Fig. 12 shows a stop 1 mounted on a mounting bracket 27.

Fig. 13 shows the different setting scales of the stop, where the base unit 2 includes a readable angle adjustment scale 28 between the first base part 3 and the third base part 5, where the first displacing arm 6 includes a readable length adjustment scale 29 between the first displacing arm 6 and the base unit 2, and where the second displacing arm 7 includes a readable length adjustment scale 30 between the second displacing arm 7 and the first displacing arm 6.

In addition, the Figure shows that the second displacing arm 7 has an abutment end 31 and an operating end 32, the operating end provided with an operating grip 33.